Significance of Diwali Festival

Diwali or Deepawali is the festival of lights. Diwali is celebrated on Amavasya tithi of Kartik Month according to Hindu calendar (October-November month). Diwali is five days festival. According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Shri Ram along with Sita and Laxman returned back to Ayodhya (his own capital) on Deepawali from his 14 years long exile and destroying the demon king Ravan. To welcome Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman, people celebrated this day by illuminating Ayodhya - the kingdom of Lord Ram with earthen lamps (diya) and bursting crackers. Here, Deep means earthen lamp and Deepawali means Queue of earthen lamps.

In Jainism, Kartik Amavasya is marked as attainment of Moksha or Nirvana by Mahaveer Swami. In Sikkhism, it is marked as return of Guru Har Govind Ji to Amritsar after releasing 52 Hindu kings imprisoned in Gwalior Fort by defeating Emperor Jahangir.

Celebrations and Rituals about Diwali Festival

Diwali (Deepawali) is 5 days Festival in Hinduism. It starts from 13th day of waxing moon of Kartik Month. This 13th day is called "Dhan Teras". This day is celebrated as incarnation of Lord Dhanvantari - Lord of Medicines. Also this day is considered an auspicious day for purchasing metal or metal products. Due to this, every year millions of Jaipurites purchase metal utensils, silver and gold jewelry and vehicles of worth of Crores of Rupees in one day along with the worship of Lord Dhanvantari for good health.

Second day of Diwali Festival (14th day of waxing moon of Kartik month) is known as Narak Chaturdashi because Lord Krishna killed demon Narakasura on this day. So, this day is celebrated as victory of light over darkness. People celebrate this day by lighting many earthen lamps, candles, and decorate their homes with fancy lightings, flowers etc. They perform special puja (worship and prayer) of Lord Krishna and Vishnu.

The 15th day of waxing moon of Kartik month- Amavasya, is the main day of Diwali Festival (Deepawali). Jaipurites worship Goddess Laxmi - the goddess of wealth with Lord Ganesh - the God of auspicious beginnings on this day. They Wear new clothes, prepare many kinds of sweets, decorate their homes with flowers, candles, lamps, fancy lighting etc. Earthen lamps are lit at sandhya (dawn) in streets and homes to welcome prosperity and well-being. Then the whole night is celebrated with bursting crackers and fireworks and greeting each other.

Fourth day of Diwali festival is celebrated by the name of Govardhan Puja. It is Kartik Krishna Pratipada (1st day of waning moon), when Govardhan Puja is performed. This is also known as Annakut. It is celebrated in memory of lifting Govardhan Hill by Lord Krishna to defeat Indra and save his kinsmen and cattle from heavy rains and floods produced by Indra. Large quantities of various kinds of food is placed at one place as a heap which symbolize Govardhan Hill. This food is offered to Govardhan Hill - an incarnation of Lord Krishna, and then it is distributed among all devotees as holy food or prasad.

Another significance of this festival is that Demon King Bali, who was pushed to nether-world (paataal), return to earth for this one day and spread the light of knowledge and destroys the ignorance by the grace of Lord Vishnu.

The last day of Diwali Festival (2nd day of Kartik Shukla Paksha) is known as Bhaiduj. This is the fifth day of Deepawali festival. On this day sisters invite brothers on lunch or dinner to meet them and express love and affection for each other. According to Hindu mythology Yama - Lord of Death invited by his sister Yami. Yami welcomed him and pleased him with his Aarti (prayers) and then they had feast together. Yama pleased with her and gave a gift to his sister Yami. So, this day is also known as Yam dwitiya.

Diwali Videos

Diwali Video : A family in Jaipur is enjoying Diwali festival with crackers and fireworks.